The students of the 33rd class of the School of Senior Technicians in Medical Analysis (ETAM) of the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon presented, on May 15, 2026, their supervised projects before a jury composed of scientific and educational leaders of the institution.

Punctuality, mastery of the subjects, and quality of exchanges marked this defense session, during which the future chief technicians in medical analysis demonstrated the skills acquired during their three years of training at this school established in 1982.

Chaired by Dr. Annie Epote, Medical Director of the CPC and coordinator of ETAM activities, the jury appreciated the candidates’ ability to mobilize the theoretical knowledge acquired in class, as well as the observations gathered during their practical internships carried out in the various laboratories of the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon.

The presented work focused on several major public health issues. In virology, some students were interested in the contribution of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to severe acute respiratory infections, as well as the seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fevers in people at low risk of transmission.

In serology, a study evaluated the performance of the rapid diagnostic test MALARIA p.f.Adv.DX compared to microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria. In mycobacteriology, research focused on evaluating the use of Dried Blood Spots (DBS) for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. Finally, in pathology (ANAPATH), a study analyzed the sperm profile of patients received at the CPC for a sperm analysis between 2010 and 2025.

Overall, the presentations left a favorable impression on the jury members, which notably included laboratory heads who supervised the students during their internships. The scores awarded, ranging from 7 to 8/10, reflect the quality of the work carried out as well as its relevance to public health in Cameroon. The jury also encouraged these young researchers to continue their work with a view to scientific publication.

Present at the defenses, Dr. Suzanne Belinga, Director General of the CPC, praised the candidates’ mastery of the topics, their ease in defending their work, as well as the scientific rigor observed in the use of techniques and professional vocabulary. According to her, these assessments testify to the quality of the training provided by the ETAM of the CPC.

These thirteen future ambassadors of the school will now have to pass the national certification exam before obtaining the diploma of Senior Technician in Medical Analysis.